Activities for Teens in Aspen & The Roaring Fork Valley
Having three teen boys of our own, we know that it is difficult to get to the core of finding activities for teens in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley that they won’t yawn at, or if you are needing a guide to take them on adventures, it’s difficult to know who to go to. We have made it easier for you to choose by eliminating the guesswork. Below are some of our top ideas.
Mountain Biking in Aspen
Sky Mountain Park offers very fun mountain biking terrain for both parents and teens, with rolling trails, beautiful views, and enough variety to keep everyone entertained. Visit the MTB Project website for all the important information and trail details before heading out.
Downhill Mountain Biking in Snowmass
Rent or demo a bike and head up the gondola to the Snowmass Bike Park, which offers something for every level of downhill mountain bike rider.
Get them padded up and send them on their way to nearly 3,000 vertical feet of purpose-built downhill trails. We suggest getting broken in on the greens and blues like Viking and French Press before hitting Valhalla and Vapor. It’s so much fun that your kids will want to stay there all day.
Snowmass Bike Park Lift Tickets
- 1-Day Lift Ticket: $45 In-Resort | $36 Advance Purchase
- 3-Day Lift Ticket: $119 In-Resort | $95 Advance Purchase
- Season passes also available
Guided Hikes or Mountain Bike Rides
Go on your own or hire a guide from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies or Aspen Alpine Guides and take a hike or bike ride deep into the mountains with professionals who know the terrain, history, and ecology of the valley.
North Star Preserve River Float
Take a gentle float through important wildlife habitat in North Star Nature Preserve with RFC and Pitkin County Open Space & Trails. Guides provide the history of North Star, discuss wildlife highlights, and explain recent restoration activities during this mild two-hour float.
Or, book a stand-up paddleboarding lesson with local SUP and kayaking legend Charlie MacArthur of the Aspen Kayak & SUP Academy.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
If your teens are adventurous, peaceful, and respectful of wildlife, rent them a stand-up paddleboard from Aspen Bikes or Shaboomee.
Be forewarned: there have been moose and bear sightings in the preserve, so leave your dog at home and keep your distance from wildlife.
Aspen Historical Society Tours
Aspen Historical Society offers fantastic free history tours throughout the summer that are surprisingly fun for teens and adults alike.
Tours include:
- Exploring Aspen’s underground tunnels and former mines
- Riding through downtown Aspen in a unique electric vehicle
- Architecture-focused tours of the West End
- Historic saloon and ghost tours
- Visits to Ashcroft and Independence ghost towns
The guided historic haunt tours, complete with local lore and legendary stories, are especially memorable.
Tennis in Aspen
Book a court or take a lesson at the Aspen Tennis Club clay courts.
Backpacking & Peak Bagging
Aspen Expeditions Worldwide
Since 1977, the mountain guides at Aspen Expeditions Worldwide have been recognized as some of the most trained, experienced, and credentialed guides in the country.
Whether your teen wants to backpack into the wilderness, climb a peak, rock climb, or simply challenge themselves in the outdoors, Aspen Expeditions offers incredible guided adventures and instruction.
Tandem Flights with Aspen Paragliding
Aspen Paragliding is the premier paragliding school in the country and a full-service dealer of paragliders and equipment.
Their tandem flights are an unforgettable way to experience Aspen from above and are guaranteed to impress even the most difficult-to-entertain teen.
Read more:
Going Airborne with Aspen Paragliding
Hiking in Aspen
Hike to alpine lakes, jump into freezing mountain water, and explore some of the most beautiful trails in Colorado.
Before heading out, always check trail conditions and recent reviews on AllTrails, especially after heavy winters when avalanche debris and unstable trail conditions can linger well into summer.
Summer Activities at Snowmass
One of the best things about summer in Snowmass is that the mountain transforms into a giant outdoor playground.
Activities include:
- Alpine coaster
- Zipline
- Climbing wall
- Ropes course
- Disc golf
- Scenic gondola rides
- Hiking trails
- Outdoor concerts
- Mountain biking
It’s the kind of place where teens can burn energy all day long and actually sleep at night.
Iron Mountain Hot Springs
After all the adventures, drive down to Iron Mountain Hot Springs for a soak.
Located alongside the Colorado River and surrounded by mountain views, the geothermal soaking pools are perfect for relaxing sore muscles after hiking, biking, or rafting.
Read more:
Iron Mountain Hot Springs Experience
The Artificial Wave in Glenwood Springs
With the right river flows, the Glenwood Wave becomes a world-class surf wave where kayakers and river surfers show off impressive skills.
Teens love hanging out to watch the action — or trying it themselves if they’re experienced on the water.
Free Summer Concerts
Aspen Music Festival Concerts
Bring a picnic and sit on the lawn outside the Benedict Music Tent for free Sunday evening orchestra concerts hosted by the Aspen Music Festival and School.
Snowmass Thursday Night Concerts
Each Thursday evening, head to Fanny Hill for free concerts featuring incredible artists, sunset views, and a lively family atmosphere.
Aspen Mountain Yoga
For the ultimate Aspen summer experience, hike up Aspen Mountain via the Ute Trail and reward yourself with an outdoor yoga class overlooking the Elk Mountains at 11,212 feet.
Aspen Shakti offers classes throughout the summer for both beginners and advanced practitioners.
And honestly? Some of the best teen memories come from the simpler moments; grabbing smoothies after a hike, wandering around town with friends, swimming in alpine lakes, vintage shopping, late-night ice cream runs, or sitting around a firepit under the stars after a full day outside.
Aspen has a way of pulling teens away from their phones and back into real life, which may be the greatest gift of all.
Although our recommendations come from experience or reviews reported to us from people we trust, we at Aspen Real Life are not liable for experiences gone wrong. Feedback is always welcome and appreciated.




















